Characterization and Adsorptive Performance of Dually Synthesized Artocarpus heterophyllus Fibrous Waste-Assisted Fe2O3- MgO Nanocomposite for Acridine Orange Removal: RSM Optimization Study

In this study, the Artocarpus heterophyllus fibrous waste assisted Fe2O3-MgO nanocomposite (AHFW/Fe₂O₃–MgO NC) was successfully fabricated through a combined precipitation–calcination approach and characterized using XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR, BET. The synthesized AHFW/Fe₂O₃–MgO NC was assessed for its efficiency in Acridine orange (ACO) dye remediation, with process optimization performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Systematic batch adsorption experiments indicated that optimal conditions—pH 9, AHFW/Fe₂O₃–MgO dosage of 0.34 g/L, initial ACO dye concentration of 20 mg/L, and agitation time of 40 min— resulted in a maximum removal efficiency of 88.63%. Kinetic modelling indicated that the adsorption process conformed closely to the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.992), implying that chemisorption is the rate-limiting stage. The equilibrium results were optimally characterized by the Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.995), indicating monolayer adsorption on a uniform surface with a maximum adsorption capacity of 227.3 mg/g. RSM analysis predicted an optimum removal efficiency, which closely aligned with experimental findings, exhibiting a deviation of < 2%, thereby validating the robustness of the model. Overall, this study demonstrates that the dually synthesized Artocarpus Heterophyllus Fibrous waste-assisted Fe₂O₃–MgO nanocomposites present a sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable alternative for efficient wastewater treatment applications.